Bulawayo industry revival think-tank on the cards

THE Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Angeline Masuku says her office would establish a think-tank to come up with strategies aimed at reviving industries in the city.

Addressing Bulawayo businesspeople at a stakeholders meeting yesterday, Minister Masuku said the 17-sector board has the mandate to ensure revival of Bulawayo industries within the 100-day cycles.

She ordered businesses to submit names of sector representatives on Monday next week for the think-tank to take effect immediately.

"The mandate of the think-tank is to collect information on how best we can revive Bulawayo's industries.

"My office has been inundated with investors in different sectors and this is an opportunity that we cannot miss as Bulawayo.

"I propose that as Bulawayo we have a think-tank that would look at the opportunities that we have as Bulawayo and how we may take advantage of those opportunities," said the Minister.

She urged businesses and investors to guard against imported labour as Zimbabwe had enough skilled personnel to carry out any job.

Minister Masuku said this would protect local industries and increase employment opportunities for the locals.

She said: "Businesses should offer first preference to local industries and investors should not bring in labour from their countries. For example, if a Chinese company wants to get into a joint venture, it should only bring equipment and money, but not foremen as our people can also do that job."

She called on tertiary institutions to undertake research projects aimed at assisting industries with vital information so that Bulawayo regains its status as the country's industrial hub.

Minister Masuku said there was a need for Bulawayo to be given support commensurate with its status as the country's second largest city.

Industry and commerce executives recently called on the Government to avail a special funding package from the fiscus to revive ailing companies in Bulawayo.

Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) Matabeleland Chapter president, Mr Joseph Gunda is on record saying the city's industries have the capacity to bolster production and create jobs and what is needed is adequate support.